The REAL Magic Kingdom
by Robin

As seems to be the tradition a few Sundays now, I'd like to take a moment talk about Jesus.

We had so much fun these past couple weeks with having Thanksgiving company, learning Christmas Cantata music and seeing all the stars at Magic Kingdom, including Mickey and Minnie. However, we also grieved this week over losing a loved one. My thoughts went from one Magic Kingdom to the *true* Magic Kingdom where the King of Kings and Lord of Lords resides. A great city filled with precious stones, great walls and twelve gates made of whole pearls. Can you imagine? The foundations of the wall were garnished with jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, topaz, chrysoprasus, jacinth and amethyst. The city needed no sun or moon as it was filled with the glory of God to lighten it. The gates shall never be shut, as there is no night there. Those who are written in the Lamb's book of life will dwell there.

And God shall wipe away all tears from eyes and there is no death; neither shall there be any more pain and all former things passed away. God can make all things new.

Last Sunday evening, Jack and I visited his dying grandmother. We sat at her bedside taking turns praying and crying. We held her hand and kissed her head. We gave her sips of Diet Coke, which she said gave her life. We all had a laugh over that one. But we were there for business. Serious business for God. We let her know that God loved her. We told her what she already knew, that Jesus died for her sins. We asked her to trust Jesus with her life and to call upon his name in her time of need. When some time had passed, we asked her if she had understood and she replied, "I'm good."

We left her bedside at 1am, desperately praying for assurance and salvation.

The next day, the kids were able to visit with her. God provided us with more privacy to speak with Grandma Mary and again, she replied that she was good. That night, feeling unassured, I went to the Word of God and ask that He speak to me. In there, He told me that the effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). I read that verse over and over, meditating on its words. Effectual stood out in my mind as if it had never existed before. It referenced 1Kin18:42, 45 where Elijah had prayed again and again for rain. On the 7th time, a black cloud came across the skies and grew into a mighty storm. Elijah and Ahab couldn't even get back to the city of Jez-re-el before it poured.

I cried and thanked the Lord for such hope and so we continued praying for the next 7 days.

This morning, the 7th day since when we made this desperate prayer before the Lord and spoke with Grandma Mary about Jesus, we learned that she passed. We are heartbroken to lose such a lovely woman, yet God loves us so much that He gave us hope. You see, in Bible talk, seven stands for completion. He had heard our prayers and I have faith that He completed a work of salvation in Grandma Mary's heart. I have to have faith that Jesus was now giving her life, not Diet Coke. I believe, through faith, that when I get to heaven, I will be greeted by Mary and hear her most wonderful Florida drawl and be kissed.

For with God, nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

This was one of the Scriptures in today's sermon at church. Our main feature song in the choir was "Presence of Glory." For me, it was all confirmation of our prayers and hope during what can be some of the most painful times in a person's life.

Are you going to the real Magic Kingdom?